📖 Overview
Richard Osman is a British author and television personality who achieved notable success with his "Thursday Murder Club" mystery novel series, which became an international bestseller following its debut in 2020. Prior to his literary career, he was known for co-creating and co-presenting the BBC quiz show "Pointless" and serving as creative director at Endemol UK.
Born in Billericay, Essex, Osman established himself in British television, working as a producer on shows including "Deal or No Deal" and presenting several quiz programs such as "Richard Osman's House of Games" and "Two Tribes." His television career spans both behind-the-scenes production roles and on-screen appearances as a presenter and panel show participant.
His transition to fiction writing came with "The Thursday Murder Club," which follows a group of retirement village residents who investigate unsolved crimes. The novel series has sold millions of copies worldwide and continues with subsequent installments including "The Man Who Died Twice" and "The Bullet That Missed."
Osman attended Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied politics and sociology, and his early career began in television production at Hat Trick Productions. He is the brother of Mat Osman, bassist of the rock band Suede, and has been open about his experiences growing up in Haywards Heath, West Sussex.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Osman's light mystery plots and engaging elderly characters, particularly noting his humor and the Thursday Murder Club's charm. Many reviews mention the books feel like cozy British TV shows brought to page. Fans highlight the natural dialogue and relatable friendship dynamics between the retiree sleuths.
Common criticisms include plot pacing issues, with some calling the mysteries too predictable or slow-moving. Several readers note character development can feel superficial beyond the core group. Some find the writing style simplistic.
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- Thursday Murder Club: 4.2/5 (525k ratings)
- The Man Who Died Twice: 4.4/5 (198k ratings)
- The Bullet That Missed: 4.4/5 (141k ratings)
Amazon:
- Thursday Murder Club: 4.4/5 (103k ratings)
- The Man Who Died Twice: 4.6/5 (47k ratings)
- The Bullet That Missed: 4.6/5 (32k ratings)
Multiple readers compare his work to Agatha Christie but "with more humor and less complexity."
📚 Books by Richard Osman
The Thursday Murder Club (2020)
Four retirees meet weekly in their peaceful retirement village to investigate unsolved murders, but find themselves caught up in a real case when a local developer is found dead.
The Man Who Died Twice (2021) Elizabeth and her fellow Thursday Murder Club members face a new mystery involving stolen diamonds, a violent ex-husband, and multiple dead bodies.
The Bullet That Missed (2022) The Thursday Murder Club tackles their third case, investigating a decade-old murder of a TV presenter while dealing with a dangerous adversary who forces Elizabeth to make an impossible choice.
The Last Devil to Die (2023) The Thursday Murder Club friends confront their most dangerous case yet when an antiques dealer is found dead and a deadly package of cocaine goes missing.
The Man Who Died Twice (2021) Elizabeth and her fellow Thursday Murder Club members face a new mystery involving stolen diamonds, a violent ex-husband, and multiple dead bodies.
The Bullet That Missed (2022) The Thursday Murder Club tackles their third case, investigating a decade-old murder of a TV presenter while dealing with a dangerous adversary who forces Elizabeth to make an impossible choice.
The Last Devil to Die (2023) The Thursday Murder Club friends confront their most dangerous case yet when an antiques dealer is found dead and a deadly package of cocaine goes missing.
👥 Similar authors
Anthony Horowitz writes mystery novels featuring older detectives and intricate plots set in England, with a similar blend of humor and crime-solving. His Hawthorne and Horowitz series includes meta elements where the author appears as a character, similar to Osman's approach of drawing from his own experiences.
Mick Herron creates spy thrillers centered on a group of misfit intelligence agents in London, combining wit with complex mysteries. His Slough House series features ensemble casts and British institutional politics like Osman's work.
Alan Bradley writes about an unconventional detective in the form of young Flavia de Luce, set in a small English village with eccentric characters. His mysteries incorporate humor and sharp observations about British life, matching Osman's style of combining comedy with crime.
Robert Galbraith develops complex mysteries featuring ongoing character relationships and London-based investigations. The Cormoran Strike series shares Osman's focus on character development and British cultural references.
Elly Griffiths creates mysteries featuring recurring characters in English settings, with plots that mix contemporary issues with traditional detective work. Her Ruth Galloway series combines procedural elements with personal narratives similar to Osman's approach.
Mick Herron creates spy thrillers centered on a group of misfit intelligence agents in London, combining wit with complex mysteries. His Slough House series features ensemble casts and British institutional politics like Osman's work.
Alan Bradley writes about an unconventional detective in the form of young Flavia de Luce, set in a small English village with eccentric characters. His mysteries incorporate humor and sharp observations about British life, matching Osman's style of combining comedy with crime.
Robert Galbraith develops complex mysteries featuring ongoing character relationships and London-based investigations. The Cormoran Strike series shares Osman's focus on character development and British cultural references.
Elly Griffiths creates mysteries featuring recurring characters in English settings, with plots that mix contemporary issues with traditional detective work. Her Ruth Galloway series combines procedural elements with personal narratives similar to Osman's approach.